Sonoma: Honda Racing qualifying report

Franchitti Flies to Infineon Pole
Dario Franchitti used the final moments of third-round "knockout"
qualifying to do just that: knock Ryan Briscoe off the pole in IndyCar
Series qualifying Saturday at Infineon Raceway, and claim ...

Franchitti Flies to Infineon Pole

Dario Franchitti used the final moments of third-round "knockout"
qualifying to do just that: knock Ryan Briscoe off the pole in IndyCar
Series qualifying Saturday at Infineon Raceway, and claim the
inside-front-row starting position for Sunday's Indy Grand Prix of
Sonoma County.

After leading much of the final, 10-minute "Firestone Fast Six"
qualifying, Briscoe will start second, with his Team Penske teammate
Helio Castroneves, third. Marco Andretti will start fifth for Andretti
Green Racing, leading the team in its best overall qualifying effort of
the season. Teammate Hideki Mutoh will line up fifth, with Tony Kanaan
seventh, rookie Franck Montagny eighth in his IndyCar debut; and Danica
Patrick in 11th.

Today's action was marred by a serious three-car crash in the opening
practice. Nelson Phillipe spun just over the brow of the blind
right-hand Turn 3, and his car was then clipped by E.J. Viso and then
stuck violently by Will Power. Viso escaped injury, but Power and
Phillipe were transported to an area hospital for treatment of
concussions for both drivers, a fractured left foot for Phillipe and a
back fractures for Power. Sunday's race starts at 5:45 p.m. EDT, with
live television coverage on Versus starting at 5 p.m.

Dario Franchitti (#10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) pole qualifier,
his fourth pole of 2009, seventh career IndyCar Series pole: "I'm
pretty happy right now. We've made the "Fast Six" [final qualifying
round] at every road and street course this year, and that's a great
achievement for our team. I think we've got a good race car, and it
definitely helps to start up front here. But the championship point [for
pole] that we earned today, that's more important than anything."